5 Best 1080p 144Hz Gaming Monitor in 2018

Let’s face it: pushing 3840 × 2160 pixels at 60 frames per second is still something only the most powerful combinations of graphics cards and CPUs can achieve. But going over 144 frames per second at 1080p in certain games is well within the realm of possibility even for mid-range rigs. If you’re contemplating taking your gaming experience to the next level, but you don’t have the necessary budget for a top-tier GPU or two, a 144 Hz gaming monitor is the best upgrade you can make.

Readers of PCMag picked the ASUS VG248QE as their 144 Hz monitor of choice in 2016 because of the excellent value the monitor offers. Costing a little over $250, this 24-inch monitor from ASUS comes with a fully adjustable stand and extensive connectivity options, which include DisplayPort, HDMI, and Dual-link DVI.

Built into the monitor is a pair of 2 W speakers. They likely won’t impress you nearly as much as the display, but their quality is still perfectly acceptable for online videos and general computer use. If you’re a headphone person, the built-in speakers are a great alternative for standard 2.0 desktop speakers.

The LED-backlit display features the Splendid Video Intelligence Technology for simple adjustment of brightness, contrast, sharpness, and colors using a hotkey. Thanks to ASUS Smart Contrast, the VG248QE can achieve a contrast ratio of up to 80,000,000:1 and display the pure black and brightest white. Whether in games or while browsing the web, we were consistently and constantly impressed by the monitor’s image quality and color reproduction, especially considering its affordable price.

The ASUS VG248QE supports the 144 Hz refresh rate with 1 ms response time for faced-paced gameplay without any motion blur. In competitive, action-packed games such as Overwatch, the ultra-high refresh rate can make a world of difference. But you’ll also notice the extra smoothness when browsing the web or doing mundane office work.

To top it all off, ASUS has included its patent-pending GamePlus hotkey with crosshair and timer functions, making the ASUS VG248QE an insanely impressive gaming monitor.

The ViewSonic XG2401 is a 24-inch gaming monitor that allows you always to enjoy the smoothest gaming experience possible regardless of how many frames per second is your gaming rig capable of rendering. With its SmartSync technology, this striking monitor can automatically select the best refresh rate and response time to achieve the lowest input lag possible.

The XG2401 can go up to 144 Hz thanks to AMD FreeSync and DisplayPort 1.2. Once you experience gaming with less than 1 ms of input lag, we guarantee that you won’t be able to go back to 60 Hz even if you wanted to. You also won’t be able to go back to gaming on monitors that were not designed for gamers.

ViewSonic has included a number of gaming features, such as the Black Stabilization feature, which provides heightened visibility and detail by brightening dark scenes, while the Game Mode feature optimizes visuals for various game genres.

The ViewSonic XG2401 has one DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Kensington lock slot, and two audio ports (one for the internal speakers and the other one for headphones).

The VG278Q from Asus is VG248QE’s big brother. The monitor has retained the Full HD resolution, but it has grown from 24 inches to 27 inches. What has also grown is the monitor’s price, but not by much: ASUS sells the VG278Q for just $300.

We’re willing to bet that the VG278Q could be displayed alongside two or three times more expensive monitors and nobody would blink an eye unless there was a sheet with the monitor’s specifications nearby. A lot of effort went into making the monitor look indistinguishable from high-end gaming monitors. The adjustable stand sports aggressive angles, the bezels are thin, and the black finish on all plastic parts looks great.

What also looks great is the Full HD 144 Hz display with ASUS Eye Care Technology. Gaming with teary, fatigued eyes is far from enjoyable. But the very nature of online gaming stands in the way of carefully planned breaks. Given that marathon gaming sessions are bound to happen, a gaming monitor that minimizes eye strain is a godsend.

The ASUS VG278Q supports FreeSync for tear-free experience with all compatible AMD graphics cards. If your computer can render 144 frames per second, the combination of the monitor’s high refresh rate with the Extreme Low Motion Blur technology makes objects look incredibly sharp regardless of whether they stand still or are in motion.

Extensive connectivity options are provided by dual-link DVI-D, DisplayPort 1.2, and HDMI. Every cable you connect to the monitor can be elegantly hidden from view thanks to the smart cable management design feature found on the monitor’s stand.

If you’re a hardcore gamer, you need to experience what it’s like to game on an ultrawide monitor such as the LG 34UC79G-B. This 34-inch bezel-less marvel from LG features AMD FreeSync and 144 Hz refresh rate alongside the immersive 21:9 aspect ratio.

The monitor has the resolution of 2560 × 1080 pixels, and its color reproduction and viewing angles are excellent thanks to the IPS display panel. Games played on the LG 34UC79G-B are noticeably smoother than on 60 or even 75 Hz monitors, and there’s even a host of gaming features, including a crosshair overlay and the Dynamic Action Sync feature, which assures fluid gaming action.

The 34UC79G-B from LG has USB 3.0 ports with Quick Charge support, HDMI, and DisplayPort 1.2. The monitor has been Energy Star-qualified, which means that it uses about 25 percent less energy than similar monitors. Under normal conditions, it requires about 50 W of power. Included with the monitor are a power cord, an HDMI cable, a DisplayPort cable, and a handy cable holder.

This ultra-affordable 144 Hz monitor from AOC has achieved a lot of what even several times more expensive gaming monitors have failed to achieve: it has managed to deliver outstanding value.

At just $200, the AOC G2460PQU is more affordable than many other monitors when they are on sale. Yes, it offers 144 Hz refresh rate, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 80,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and 1 ms response time. It also features flawless connectivity options, including VGA, DVI, HDMI, Display Port, and four USB ports, built-in speakers, and a fully adjustable stand. So, what’s the catch? Honestly, there isn’t one, but it’s important to realize that this is a TN monitor.

Similarly to most other TN monitors, the AOC G2460PQU has sub-par viewing angles and not the most accurate color reproduction ever. The back lighting is also noticeably uneven, which is especially apparent when playing horror games with lots of dark environments. But all these flaws are outweighed by the extraordinarily high refresh rate and the resulting gameplay smoothness.

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